An Initial Exploration Of Li Cheng's Cold Forest Landscape Paintings

Abstract

The series of cold forest landscape paintings by Li Cheng in the Northern Song dynasty was unprecedented, setting a benchmark for successive generations of painters to admire and emulate. Why did Li Cheng choose the cold forest as the main theme for his paintings? The reasons behind this choice could be attributed to his upbringing, family background, and inner aspirations that were ultimately left unfulfilled, giving rise to a potential contradiction in his psyche. This paper aims to explore these reasons.